San Carlos strikes first in final, earns 1-1 tie at Saprissa

Tibás — A waterlogged afternoon couldn’t slow A.D. San Carlos on Sunday as it earned a 1-1 tie against Saprissa in the first leg of the Clausura 2019 second-phase final.

Marco Julián Mena opened scoring in the 42nd minute for San Carlos, which will earn its first Costa Rican soccer championship with a positive result in Wednesday’s return leg at its home stadium in Ciudad Quesada.

¡GOOOL DE SAN CARLOS!
Marco Mena abre el marcador para los norteños en el Saprissa.

📱 Siga el minuto a minuto en https://t.co/Zzsvi63ZrP ◀ #FinalCR pic.twitter.com/XDyVuaqzzR

— Teletica Deportes (@TeleticaTD7) May 13, 2019

Substitute Rubilio Castillo responded in the second half for Saprissa, which otherwise couldn’t capitalize on several opportunities in the attacking third.

¡GOOOL DE @SaprissaOficial! ⚽🚨
Rubilio Castillo pone el 1-1 en la #FinalCR

📱 Siga el minuto a minuto en https://t.co/Zzsvi63ZrP ◀ pic.twitter.com/7YgjnbqEiF

— Teletica Deportes (@TeleticaTD7) May 13, 2019

Sunday’s match was nearly cancelled due to field conditions following a fierce afternoon rainstorm that continued into the evening.

UNAFUT officials deemed the pitch playable following a two-hour delay, and the result was an entertaining, physical and wet contest.

The return leg will be played Wednesday at Estadio Carlos Ugalde Álvarez. Because San Carlos finished atop the regular-season table, it will be crowned champions with a 0-0 tie or win of any margin. Saprissa would win the series with a victory Wednesday and force a “Gran Final” rematch against the Sancarleños.